Melissa's/World Variety Produce in Los Angeles is collaborating with a famous chef, restaurateur and cookbook author who utilizes many specialty items in her recipes and dishes. Zov Karamardian said that all indications now lead to Middle Eastern cuisine being the next major food trend in the United States. Zov (as she prefers to be called) founded Zovs Bistro in Tustin, CA, in 1987. It began in a 1,500-square-foot, run-down shopping center, but has since grown nearly tenfold. The restaurant now employs a staff of more than 100, has expanded to 12,000 square feet, and serves between 800 and 1

OTHELLO, WA -- The Washington & Oregon United Potato Growers Cooperative announced that its members have reduced acreage by nearly 6,000 acres in 2005-06, which is one of the bigger documented cuts (from a percentage standpoint) in the United States. "We are proud of our members' efforts so far in Washington and Oregon to work together to begin to stabilize the marketplace," Tony Amstad, co-op board member from Oregon, said in a June 13 statement. After several years of low prices and low returns in the U.S. potato industry, we hope that efforts by the WA/OR co-op and other affiliated fresh

Last year the tomato market got so hot that there were widespread reports of processed tomatoes being marketed as fresh tomatoes through non-traditional shippers. "At one point during the summer, I was down in L.A. on the Sixth and Seventh Street Markets," said Ed Beckman, president of the California Tomato Commission, "and 14 houses were selling processed tomatoes as Romas. It is not just a little problem. Mr. Beckman said that hundreds of thousands of carton equivalents of tomatoes were sold last year outside the tomato commission regulations. That means they were not subject to statewide

WENATCHEE, WA -- Stemilt Growers Inc. has announced the addition of organic produce industry veteran Nancy Dudney to its fruit sales team. Ms. Dudney has extensive experience in many facets of organic produce marketing, from selling to retailers and wholesalers to selling product through farmers market-style outlets. Most recently, she was the sales and marketing director for King Blossom Natural Orchards, a Brewster, WA-based organic orchard company with a Wenatchee-based sales office that produces approximately 100,000 boxes of organic apples each year. Ms. Dudney developed King Blossom

Founded in May 2002 by John Shuman of Shuman Produce Inc., a Vidalia onion handler, the Produce for Kids campaign teams suppliers with retailers to raise money for Children's Miracle Network, spread information about the health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, and help to sell more produce. The program is underway again for 2005, and it has already begun at two of the seven participating retailers. A large aspect of Produce for Kids is the program's Healthy Kids Days, which are "half-day in-store events where we pass out" coloring books and other similar materials to children that

"Aussie citrus is known for its great quality," said Stu Monaghan, DNE sales manager for Australian Citrus. "The growing regions of Australia have benefited from some cool nights throughout the current growing season, so fruit color is coming on, the internal maturity is high and the peel quality is excellent. Each year Aussie Navel oranges are revered as the best citrus in the world, and this year's crop will exemplify those high standards. DNE expects the first ships to arrive at the port of San Diego during the first week of July. Shipments to customers will begin July 8-9 following the